Disposable device for sealing a container

ABSTRACT

A resealing device is provided configured to seal product packaging and provide a resealing edge. The device includes at least one open edge configured to sealingly attach to a surface, wherein the attaching is configured to seal the product packaging. The device further includes the resealing edge configured to provide selectable access to product within the product packaging.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is related to an object for use sealing a container. In particular, the disclosure is related to an enveloping open ended package configured to sealingly attach to a product container and provide resealable access to the product.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such statements are not intended to constitute an admission of prior art.

Consumer products are provided in inexpensive packaging. Such packaging can be permanently opened once the consumer tears open the packaging. Depending upon the particular packaging, a resealing device can be applied to the opening. Exemplary resealing devices can include a rubber band looped around the opening. Such a rubber band can bunch up the packaging, be difficult to install, and damage the product within the packaging. Another exemplary resealing device can include a spring loaded clip, for example, widely marketed to reseal a bag of snack chips. Such clips are expensive and expected to be reused time after time. Such clips can get lost, thrown out accidentally with a stale bag of snacks, or come into contact with food and overtime become covered with bacteria.

Product packaging can take many forms, including a polymer sheet of material, a foil sheet of material, and a dual layered sheet including polymer and foil materials. Other exemplary packaging can include cardboard or injection molded solid containers.

Plastic bags are marketed with resealable edges. Ziploc® and Glad® market resealable food bags including plastic zipper elements. Other resealable bags include tacky food-grade adhesives that can be pressed together and form a seal and pulled apart over and over again to provide a resealable edge. Such bags include a fully enclosed bag on three edges and a resealable edge on the fourth edge, such that when the resealable edge is sealed, a food product within the bag is enclosed and not open to the environmental air.

SUMMARY

A resealing device is provided configured to seal product packaging and provide a resealing edge. The device includes at least one open edge configured to sealingly attach to a surface, wherein the attaching is configured to seal the product packaging. The device further includes the resealing edge configured to provide selectable access to product within the product packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a resealing device being applied to a snack bag, the device including a resealable edge and an open adhesive edge, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 adhered to the snack bag, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a resealing device in preparation for sealing a snack bag, wherein the device includes a plurality of open adhesive edges and wherein the snack bag is wider than the device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the device of FIG. 3 applied to the snack bag on an angle to permit the narrower device to seal the snack bag, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary loaf of bread in a plastic bag package with a customized resealing device shipped to the consumer attached to the bag, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary cardboard box being sealed with a resealing device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary cardboard carton of coffee creamer being sealed with a resealing device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates use of a plurality or resealing devices sealing to each other to contain a large product, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary hexagonally shaped resealing device, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Food products are provided in packaging configured to maintain freshness in the products and prevent contamination or humidity from entering the packaging with the food. Similarly, loose products such as thumbtacks, screws, crayons, and other items are provided in package for storage of the items. Such items can similarly be protected from humidity and other contaminants by the packaging.

Manufacturers are constantly under financial pressure. Consumers are fickle, and a price difference of a few cents on a shelf can mean a difference between a product succeeding and the product failing and being removed from stores. Packaging is an area where manufacturers constantly seek to cut costs and improve operating margins. As a result, packaging is frequently effective at getting the product to the consumer in an acceptable state, but the consumer is left to the task of keeping the product in an acceptable state after the packaging is initially opened.

Manufacturers are conscious of costs per package shipped and must carefully scrutinize how a product is mass produced. Consumers, on the other hand, are in a wide variety of financial conditions and enjoy a wide variety of preferences when it comes to storing of food and other items. Some consumers only eat food if it tastes a fresh as when it was opened. Some mechanics or hobby-enthusiasts want mechanical parts in pristine condition and cannot accept parts being left to corrode in open air for months prior to use. Picky or discerning consumers can be willing to spend a little more money to adequately or better protect items that are stored in opened packaging.

Some packaging is provided with initially closed ends. Such packaging frequently includes a slot or an indentation in the packaging to help the consumer to open the packaging. Such a slot or indentation provides an initial point for a tear to begin in the packaging when a shear force is applied locally to the slot or indentation. However, such packaging frequently includes no further guidance for propagation of the tear. Depending upon how skillfully the consumer continues to apply the shear force, a tear can go in many different directions. In packaging with no features configured for resealing the packaging, a good tear leaves a nice even edge for the consumer to wrap up or clamp off. In such packaging, an uneven or chaotic tear can open a face of the material of the packaging and make wrapping or clamping off a top edge of the packaging ineffective in sealing the packaging.

Other exemplary packaging is known to come with a resealable edge. In some embodiments, a plastic zipper element is incorporated into the packaging. However, such incorporated plastic zippers are frequently low quality, requiring a typical consumer multiple attempts to seal the zipper. Further, such packaging frequently includes a slot or indentation to initially tear open the packaging outside of the zipper. When such a tear is propagated, the incorporated plastic zipper in the packaging is frequently damaged or torn, and as a result, the incorporated plastic zipper is rendered useless.

Cardboard cartons can be shipped in a sealed or semi-sealed state. An exemplary cardboard box of cookies can be shipped with glue or a sticker device sealing the connection points at the ends of the box. Once a consumer initially opens the cardboard box, the seal is destroyed. Further, if a box is reused over time, the edges of the cardboard can become frayed such that the box is no longer effective to contain the items within.

A disposable device is disclosed, providing a resealable edge to previously opened packaging. Such a device can include two layers of thin plastic material aligned with resealing surfaces along one edge, such that that edge can be selectively unsealed and resealed.

The device further includes at least one open edge configured for attachment to the product packaging. This open edge includes an attachment structure, for example, including adhesive strips, configured to securely attach the device to the product packaging and create an effective seal between the device and the packaging.

The material of the device is flexible enough to be fitted over an end of the packaging. The device can be custom configured for a particular product. The device can instead be provided to fit as many different products as possible. The device can be provided in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, aspect ratios, etc. to permit a consumer to seal any of a number of different packages.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a resealing device being applied to a snack bag, the device including a resealable edge and an open adhesive edge. Product packaging 20 is illustrated including a bag of potato chips such as is widely distributed in the art. Such packaging frequently includes a dual layered sheet including polymer and foil materials configured to present pleasing advertising to the consumer while keeping the product fresh until the consumer opens the packaging. Open edge 22 is illustrated, having been torn open by the consumer, and surface 24 of the packaging is illustrated, including a flat perimeter around the packaging to which a device may seal.

Device 10 is illustrated including plastic zipper 12 along a resealable edge and adhesive strip 16 located along an open edge 14 of device 10. One of two sheets 18 is illustrated making up the two sides of device 10. Sheets 18 can include a clear plastic material, such as is used in common storage and sandwich bags known in the art. In another embodiment, sheets 18 can be tinted, translucent, or opaque, for example, to hide from view crumbs which may collect at the top of the packaging or to hide the torn open edge 22 of the packaging. Adhesive strip 16 is one of two adhesive strips provided, one on each of the sheets 18, such that each sheet can be pressed to and sealed against surface 24 of the packaging on either side of package 20. Adhesive strip 16 can be provided with tear away backing paper preventing the adhesive from prematurely attaching to any other object. Sheets 18 can be made of a number of materials including exemplary polyethylene sheets.

FIG. 2 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 adhered to the snack bag. Device 10 including plastic zipper 12 is illustrated attached to packaging 20. Adhesive strip 16 on each side of device 10 is attached to surface 24 of packaging 20. The exemplary device 10 is illustrated being wider than packaging 20, such that a portion 19 of device 10 extends past a side of packaging 20. A portion 34 of adhesive strip 16 is attached to surface 24 and seals thereagainst. A portion 32 of adhesive strip 16 extending past the side of packaging 20 is attached to a similar portion of an adhesive strip attached to the back sheet of device 10, such that the device 10 seals an interior area 15 of device 10, thereby preventing intrusion of humidity or other contaminants into area 15.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a resealing device in preparation for sealing a snack bag, wherein the device includes a plurality of open adhesive edges and wherein the snack bag is wider than the device. Packaging 120 is illustrated including incorporated plastic zipper 122. Packaging 120 is illustrated including an uneven tear 123 which has destroyed zipper 122, thereby making packaging 120 impossible to seal with zipper 122. Resealing device 110 is illustrated including zipper device 112 and zipper mechanism 113 configured to seal and unseal zipper 112. Device 110 is open along a first edge 114 including a first adhesive strip 116 and a second edge 115 including a second adhesive strip 117. Device 110 open along two edges includes increased flexibility as compared to device 10, based upon the two edges of device 110 being able to cover a wider variety of packing openings and close packaging with more uneven tears than can a similar device with one open edge. Device 110 can be attached to surface 124 of packaging 120. In another embodiment, the single closed edge along the left side of device 110 could alternatively be a third open edge with an adhesive strip.

FIG. 4 illustrates the device of FIG. 3 applied to the snack bag on an angle to permit the narrower device to seal the snack bag. Device 110 is illustrated attached to packaging 120 on a canted angle, with adhesive strips 116 and 117 sealingly attached to packaging 120. By canting device 110 to an angle as compared to packaging 120, an opening in packaging 120 wider than a standard width of device 110, measured with device 110 lined up normally with packaging 120, can be sealed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary loaf of bread in a plastic bag package with a customized resealing device shipped to the consumer attached to the bag. A loaf of bread 205 within packaging 220 is illustrated including opening 222. Packaging 220 includes a thin plastic bag configured to wrap and seal loaf 205. A pre-configured resealing device 210 including an open edge 214 is included with loaf 205, for example, provided attached in a shipping location to packaging 210, such that a consumer can decide to install device 210 to packaging 220 to improve a seal quality for the packaging. Device 210 can be configured to attach to opening 222. In another embodiment, packaging 224 can include perforation 224 configured to permit truncation of packaging 220, such that device 210 can utilize the shape of loaf 205 within packaging 220 to aid in installing device 210 to the packaging 220. A similar pre-configured resealing device can be provided with any of a wide variety of packaging and can be attached to the packaging with a pull-away adhesive, permitting the device to be pulled away from the packaging for installation without ripping the packaging.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary cardboard box being sealed with a resealing device. Box 320 is illustrated including opening 321 which is initially sealed with flap 324. Resealing device 310 is provided pre-configured to attach to a surface 322 of box 320. According to one embodiment, box 320 can be configured such that flap 324 can be torn away prior to attaching device 310, although other devices and boxes can be configured such that a similar flap can be retained. Exemplary device 310, unlike devices 10 and 110, include four faces instead of two flat sheets, such that opening 319 of device 310 can be configured to attach to a rectangular opening 321 of box 320. Side faces 314, 316, and 318 are configured to support plastic zipper 312 and opening 319. A number of configurations of packaging and resealing devices are envisioned, with flat or three-dimensional resealing devices being configured to attach to an provide resealing access to packaging for a wide variety of items, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular examples provided herein. Pleats, overfolded edges, or thermally created creases known in the art can be used on device 310 to provide three dimensional definition to device 310 and make it easier for the device to be aligned to product packaging.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary cardboard milk-style carton of coffee creamer being sealed with a resealing device. Cardboard carton packaging 420 is provided for an exemplary coffee creamer product, such as an employee may keep in a common office refrigerator. Device 410 is configured to attach to a top of packaging 420, such that a resealable edge 414 of device 410 permits easy access to opening 422 of packaging 420. Device 410 can be made of more rigid plastic than the sheets of the other devices of the disclosure or can be made of cardboard. Whereas packaging 420 is completely constructed of cardboard, device 410 can include flexible polymer insets, such as a rubberized zipper, and/or metallic insets, such as a metallic spring, within the plastic or cardboard construction, such that resealable edge 420 can be robustly closed as compared to standard opening 422. As an optional feature of device 410, a write-on section 416 can be included upon device 410, such that a person can write her or his name on the packaging to identify ownership or an expiration date of the product to avoid confusion. Opening 412 of device 410 can include adhesive to seal to packaging 420. In another embodiment, device 410 can be sized to create a slightly interference fit with packaging 420, such that friction between surface 424 of packaging 420 can seal and affix device 410 to packaging 420.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of a plurality or resealing devices sealing to each other to contain a large product. Configuration 500 is illustrated including a first resealing device 502 affixed to a second resealing device 510. A product package 520 including a product that is desirable to keep well sealed is illustrated sealed by configuration 500. Resealing device 502 include open edge 504 including an adhesive strip 506 and resealable edge 508 including a plastic zipper. Resealing device 510 includes a closed edge 512 and a resealable edge 514. One having skill in the art with appreciate that resealing device 510 can be replaced by a simple bag without edge 514 or can include an open edge with adhesive similar to edge 504. Such a device with an exemplary open edge and adhesive strip could optionally seal to product packaging 520. Neither resealing device 502 nor 510 are large enough to fully enclose package 520 individually. However, by affixing adhesive strip 506 to a top of device 510, configuration 500 is able to fully contain package 520. The two resealing devices could be configured specifically to be used together, for example, with the adhesive being located on an open edge of the lower device and with the top device including a surface to affix to the adhesive.

Resealing devices can be sold in a container, for example, including 50 resealing devices of the same size. In another example, 50 assorted resealing devices of different sizes, shapes, and configurations can be sold in a single box, such that a consumer can have a wide variety of resealing devices to fit a variety of products to be sealed. In one embodiment, shapes other than rectangular shapes can be used for resealing devices, for example, with a circular or hexagonal device being used to provide a relatively thin plastic zipper/resealable edge, for example, along a single edge of the hexagon, and a wider open edge/set of open edges to seal to a larger package, for example, spanning three edges of the hexagon. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary hexagonally shaped resealing device. Resealing device 600 includes resealable edge 602 and three open edges 604 including an adhesive pattern 606 enabling the open edges to be affixed to another surface such as product packaging.

The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications of those embodiments. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A resealing device configured to seal product packaging and provide a resealing edge, the device comprising: at least one open edge configured to sealingly attach to a surface, wherein the attaching is configured to seal the product packaging; and the resealing edge configured to provide selectable access to product within the product packaging.
 2. The device of claim 1, where the surface comprises a surface of the product packaging.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second open edge configured to sealingly attach to the surface.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the two open edges include adhesive strips to sealingly attach to the surface.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the open edge includes an adhesive strip to sealingly attach to the surface.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the resealing edge comprises a plastic zipper.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising two plastic sheets.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is pre-configured to fit to the product packaging.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is provided initially attached to the product packaging in a shipping location and is configured to be removed from the product packaging and installed by a consumer to an opening of the packaging.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be attached to a snack bag.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be attached to a box.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be attached to a cardboard milk-style carton.
 13. The device of claim 1, further comprising one of pleats, overfolded sections, and thermally created creases, the one creating a three-dimensional shape in the device.
 14. A resealing device configured to affix to product packaging and provide a resealing edge, the device comprising: two plastic sheets; a plurality of open edges configured to sealingly attach to the product packaging; and the resealing edge comprising a plastic zipper configured to provide selectable access to product within the product packaging.
 15. A resealing apparatus configured to seal product packaging and provide a resealing edge, the apparatus comprising: a first resealing device; and a second resealing device comprising: at least one open edge configured to sealingly attach to a surface of the first resealing device; and the resealing edge configured to provide selectable access to product within the product packaging; and wherein the apparatus is configured to sealingly contain the product packaging. 